Paramedic Vocabulary

2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG)

chemical in red blood cells that affects hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen

abdominal aortic aneurysm

dilation of the abdominal aorta that generally occurs below the renal areries and above the bifurcation of the common iliac arteries

abduction

movement of a body part away from the midline

aberrant conduction

transmission of an electrical impulse through the heart's conductive system in an abnormal fashion

abortion

termination of pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation. The term refers to both miscarriage and induced abortion. Commonly used for elective termination of pregnancy rather than for a miscarriage or the loss of a fetus by natural means.

abrasion

scraping or abrading away of the superficial layers of the skin; an open soft tissue injury

abruptio placentae

separation of the placenta from the uterine wall

absence seizure

type of generalized seizure with sudden onset, characterized by a brief loss of awareness and rapid recovery

absolute refractory period

span of the cardiac cycle when stimulation produces no depolarization at all.

absolute zero

temperature at which all molecular motion stops (-273 C or -459 F)

acceleration

rate at which speed or velocity increases

acclimatization

reversible changes in body structure and function by which the body becomes adjusted to a change in environment

acid

substance that liberates hydrogen ions when in solution; substance that gives up a proton or protons during chemical reactions

acquired immunity

protection from infection or disease that is (1) developed by the body over time after exposure to an antigen (active acquired immunity) or (2) transferred to the person from an outside source such as from the mother through the placenta or as a serum (passive acquired immunity)

acrocyanosis

cyanosis of the extremities

action potential

stimulation of myocardial cells, as evidenced by a change in the membrane electrical charge, that subsequently spreads across the myocardium

activated charcoal

powder, usually premixed with water, that will adsorb (bind) some poisons and help prevent them from being absorbed by the body

active immunity

acquired immunity that occurs following exposure to an antigen and results in the production of antibodies specific for the antigen; protection against disease developed after birth as a result of a direct exposure FC to the disease.

active transport

movement of a substance through a cell membrane against the osmotic gradient; that is, from an area of lesser concentration to an area of greater concentration, opposite to the normal direction of diffusion. Requires the use of energy

acute arterial occlusion

sudden occlusion of arterial blood flow

acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

spectrum of coronary artery disease processes from myocardial ischemia and myocardial injury to myocardial infarction that includes the clinical entities of stable and unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction

acute gastroenteritis

sudden onset of inflammation of the stomach and intestines

acute kidney injury (AKI)

sudden onset of severely decreased urine production; also called acute renal failure (ARF)

acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

most serious stage of myocardial infarction (MI); irreversible injury (necrosis) of the myocardium. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with or as a synonym to MI

acute pulmonary embolism

blockage that occurs when a blood clot or other particle lodges in a pulmonary artery

acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

form of pulnonary edema caused by fluid accumulation in the interstitial space within the lungs, causing collapse of alveoli, which results in progressive hypoxemia

acute tubular necrosis

kidney injury caused by damage to the kidney tubule cells

addiction

compulsive and overwhelming dependence on a drug; may be physiologic dependence, psychological dependence, or both

Addison's disease

endocrine disorder characterized by adrenocortical insufficiency. Symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and hyperpigmentation of skin and mucous membranes

Addisonian crisis

form of shock associated with adrenocortical insufficiency and characterized by profound hypotension and electrolyte imbalances

adduction

movement of a body part toward rthe midline

adhesion

union of normally separate tissue surfaces by a fibrous band of new tissue

advance directive

legal document prepared when a person is alive, competent, and able to make informed decisions about health care. The document provides guidelines on treatment if the person is no longer capable of making decisions.

adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

traumatic childhood incident or circumstance, such as a dysfunctional family, abuse by a parent or other, or neglect

adverse reaction

deleterious effect from a correclty dosed medication

affect

visible indicators of mood

afferent

carrying impulses toward the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord). sensory nerves for example.

afterbirth

placenta and accompanying membranes that are expelled from the uterus after the birth of a child

afterload

resistance within the blood vessels that a contraction of the heart must overcome to eject blood- the resistance against which the heart must pump. In cardiac p hysiology, defined as the tension of cardiac muscle during systole (contraction). Also called peripheral vascular resistance

ageism

discrimination against aged or elderly people

aggregate

to cluster or come together

airborne

transmitted through the air by droplets or particles

alkali

substance that liberates hydroxyl ions (OH-) when in solution; a strong base

allergen

substance capable of inducing an allergic reaction or specific hypersensitivity. Allergens may be protein or nonprotein, although most are proteins.

allergic reaction

exaggerated response by the immune system to a foreign substance

allergy

hypersensitive state acquired throgh exposure to a particular allergen

alpha radiation

low-level form of nuclear radiation; a weak source of energy that is stopped by clothing or the first layers of skin.

altered mental status (AMS)

changed level of mental funcgtion, short of unresponsiveness, which may manifest as confusion, amnesia, lack of alertness, disorientation, or other non-normal mental state.

antidote

substance that will neutralize a specific toxin or counteract its effect on the body

Alzheimer's disease

progressive, degenerative brain disorder, resulting in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior; thhe most common cause of dementia

amniotic fluid

clear, watery fluid that surrounds and protects a developing fetus

amniotic sac

membranes that surround and protect the developing fetus throughout the period of intrauterine development

ampere

basic unit for measuring the strength of an electric current

amphiarthroses

joints that permit very limited motion such as the joints between vertebrae and between the sacrum and ilium

amputation

severance, removal, or detachment, either partial or complete, of a body part

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

progressive degeneration of the motor neurons that control voluntary movement, resulting in weakness, loss of motor control, difficulty speaking, and cramping. Also called Lou Gehrig's disease

anabolism

constructive or "building up" phase of metabolism in which cells convert nonliving substances into living cytoplasm; the synthesis of steroid compounds by the boy which requires the use of energy; the opposite of catabolism

anaerobic

ability to live without oxygen

anaphylactic shock

form of shock in which histamine causes general vasodilation, precapillary sphincter dilation, capillary engorgement, and fluid movement into the insterstitial compartment

anaphylaxis

life-threatening allergic reaction

anastomosis

cross connection between two blood vessels or other tubular structures

anemia

inadequate number of red blood cells or inadequate hemoglobin within the red blood cells

aneurysm

dilation or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel, usually an artery, caused by a congenital defect or weakness in the wall of the vessel.

anger

hostility or rage to compensate for an undelrying feeling of anxiety

angina pectoris

chest pain that results when the heart's oxygen requirements exceed oxygen supply available from blood

angioedema

localized swelling of deeper tissues and/or mucosa caused by fluid leaks from capillaries into interstitial spaces

angioneurotic edema

marked edema of the skin that usually involves the head, neck, face, and upper airway; a common manifestation of severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis

ankylosing spondylitis

form of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine

anorexia nervosa

psychological eating disorder marked by excessive fasting or refusal to eat

anoxic hypoxemia

oxygen deficiency due to disordered pulmonary mechanisms of oxygenation

antepartum

before the onset of labor

anterior cord syndrome

condition caused by bony fragments or pressure compressing the arteries of the anterior spinal cord and resulting in loss of motor function and sensation to pain, light touch, and temperature below the injury site.

anterograde amnesia

inability to remember events that occurred after the trauma that caused the condition

antibody

substance produced by B lymphocytes in response to the presence of a foreign antigen that will combine with and control or destroy the antigen, thus preventing infection

anticoagulant

medication that inhibits blood clotting

antidiuresis

formation and passage of a concentrated urine, preserving blood volume

antigen

marker on the surface of a cell that identifies it as "self' or "non-self"; substance that is capable, under appropriate conditions, of inducing a specific immune response

antimuscarinic

drugs/medications that antagonize muscarinic cholinergic receptors, often for the purpose of relieving muscarinic poisoning symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress. Conversely, overuse of these can produce its own toxidrome, including altered mental status ranging from delirium to coma

anuria

no elimination of urine

anxiety

state of uneasiness, discomfort, apprehension, and restlessness

anxiety disorder

condition characterized by dominating apprehension and fear

aortic dissection

degeneration of the wall of the aorta

aortocaval compression

pressure on the aorta and vena cava by the gravis uterus in the supine pregnant patient

APGAR score

numerical system of rating the condition of a newborn. It evaluates the newborn's heart rate, respiratory rate, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color

aphasia

absence or impairment of the ability to communicate through speaking, writing, or signing as a result of brain dysfunction; occurs when the individual suffers a brain injury due to stroke or head injury and no longer has the ability to speak or read. If it is "sensory" the patient cannot understand the spoken word. If it is "motor" the patient can understand what is said but cannot speak. If it is "global" the patient has both the sensory and motor effects.

apnea

absence of or a temporary stop in breathing

appendicitis

inflammation of the vermiform appendix at the juncture of the large and small intestines

aqueous humor

clear fluid filling the anterior chamber and surrounding the iris, pupil, and lens of the eye

arachnoid membrane

middle layer of the meninges

arrhythmia

any deviation from the normal electrical rhythm of the heart. Also called dysrhythmia

arterial gas embolism (AGE)

air bubble, or air embolism, that enters the circulatory system from a damaged lung

arteriole

small artery

arteriosclerosis

thickening, loss of elasticity, and hardening of the walls of the arteries from calcium deposits

arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

abnormal tangle of blood vessels that causes multiple irregular connections between arteries and veins

artery

vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body tissues

arthritis

inflammation and stiffness of the joints

articular surface

portion of a bone that directly contacts another bone within a joint

artifact

deflection on the ECG. produced by factors other than the heart's electrical activity

ascending loop of Henle

part of a kidney tubule leading from the descending loop of Henle to the distal convoluted tubule

ascending reticular activating system

series of nervous tissues that keep the human system in a state of consciousness